According to California's Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law, every driver and every owner of a car must maintain financial responsibility. There are four forms of proving this responsibility:

• coverage by a motor vehicle or automobile liability insurance policy;
• a deposit of $35,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles;
• a surety bond of $35,000 obtained from a company licensed to do business in California; or
• Department of Motor Vehicles issued self-insurance certificate.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
The minimum insurance coverage required by law is liability. (See the California Driver Handbook for details.) Liability coverage pays, to certain stated limits, the sum for which you become legally responsible should you injure someone or damage property. The following types of coverage are optional:

• Uninsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers if you are injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, but only if the other driver is legally liable because of negligent driving. (Some companies automatically include this coverage in their policies.)
• Collision coverage pays your losses if your car is damaged in a collision or single car accident. This coverage is valuable if the collision cannot be proven to be someone else's fault.
• Comprehensive coverage pays for your loss if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, hail, hurricane, vandalism, or most other noncollision causes.

INSURANCE POLICIES
Be forewarned that auto insurance for the Bay Area will most likely be very expensive; this is an expensive area in which to own a car. There are three different types of insurance policies: preferred, standard, and assigned risk. They each carry different charges, with "assigned risk" offering the least coverage for the highest fees. Not all companies offer all three policies. It is extremely difficult for an international student or scholar to obtain a preferred policy. You should try to get at least a standard policy. Some companies offer the possibility of a "good student" discount with their standard/preferred policies for students with a "B" average or better. Many brokers tend to put international visitors in the assigned risk category. If you must take an assigned risk policy during your first three years in California, you should be able to obtain at least a standard policy after three years of driving in the U.S. with a U.S. driver's license, and if you have no moving violations or accidents.

AGENTS, BROKERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES
An insurance agent works exclusively for one insurance company. A broker or independent insurance agent works with many different insurance companies and policies, and can compare different rates for you. Before you purchase insurance, make sure the agent/broker and insurer you select are licensed by the California Department of Insurance (1-800-927-4357 or website at: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/). Consult the telephone directory or the internet for phone numbers for the insurance companies. Some insurance companies are Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, California State Automobile Association (CSAA), California Casualty (through the UC Benefits office), and GEICO-Government Employees Insurance Company. There is information about auto insurance companies and insurance terminology that is very helpful at Consumer World's website: http://www.consumerworld.com.

IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT
The California Driver Handbook has information about what to do in the case of an accident. Keep this information in your car. Failure to follow correct procedures after an accident may result in fines or legal action. An insurance claim occurs when there is an accident and charges are made against the insurance policy. A claims adjuster reviews the facts of the accident and authorizes payment of a claim against an insurance policy.

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